Case Studies

Case Studies

The University Centre at our Blackburn Campus offers the chance to get you into Higher Education with courses accredited by Liverpool Hope University and UCLan. We offer a range of subjects at different entry levels, there is a course for everyone. With our flexible teaching hours, you can fit this around your lifestyle so you can earn and learn. Our University Centre is highly accredited and has gained many accolades including a TEF Bronze Award for the standard of teaching.

Did you know:

46% of our students received a First Class Honours Degree

100% of our BA (Hons) Early Childhood & Education Students received a First Class or an Upper Second Class Honours

75% of BA (Hons) Early Childhood & Education students received a First Class Honours Degree

66% of our BA (Hons) Business Management students received a First Class Degree

Natasha Rose a graduate in Health & Social Care degree accredited by UCLan

Natasha Rose

Foundation Degree in Health & Social Care

“I would definitely recommend completing a degree at St Mary’s. The tutors guide you so well and the teaching methods are very good.”

Natasha Rose proved it is never too late to follow your dreams after taking the plunge back into education after a 15 year break.

After being out of education Natasha Rose was hesitant about starting her Foundation Degree in Health & Social Care, however it turned out to be the perfect stepping stone for her career.

“It was daunting being out of education for over 15 years, but the staff were really supportive over the duration of the course and I have had a good experience.”

Natasha used the course to take the next step in her career as without a degree there was no progression opportunities.

“I heard good feedback from someone who had previously done the course. They could not speak more highly of the degree and it certainly delivered.”

Natasha has now secured a role in a GP Practice which she could not have done without her degree.

“I would definitely recommend completing a degree at St Mary’s. The tutors guide you so well and the teaching methods are very good.”

Kathleen Firth a graduate in Health & Social Care degree accredited by UCLan

Kathleen Firth

Foundation Degree in Health & Social Care

“Education is the top value priority for my children so why not make it for myself. You practice what you preach.”

Kathleen Firth first signed up to St Mary’s due to the accessibility of the course, as the University Centre was situated minutes away from her daughter’s nursery site.

Kathleen had not been in education for over 15 years, and the course was a great stepping stone back into learning, which aligned with her family values.

“I got back into education as I have four children and I wanted them to have a good role model. Education is the top value priority for my children so why not make it for myself. You practice what you preach.”

After taking the opportunity to go back into learning, Kathleen found the teaching modules and methods at St Mary’s worked well with her learning style.

“I enjoyed the structure of the assignments and the tutors who were fantastic with helping; the one to one guidance is very beneficial.”

A highlight for Kathleen was the one to one tutoring provided at any time of the day.

“If I needed help outside of hours, I got as reply within an hour which makes all the difference to the learning.”

Kathleen will be completing the top up year at UCLan Burnley Campus this September.

Pippa Berry (second to right) and coursemates celebrating graduating in their degree in Education & Special Educational Needs accredited by Liverpool Hope University

Pippa Berry

BA (Hons) Education and Special Educational Needs

“I chose St Mary’s College to take my degree course because it made the course accessible for me, and easy to work around family life. The college itself is relatively close to my home so commuting to and from there to attend the course played a big part in my decision.”

After starting University and leaving shortly before the end of her first year, aged 18, Pippa did not think she would get back into education. That was until she wanted to become a primary school teacher and make a difference to children’s lives.

“Prior to starting my degree at St Mary’s College, I worked as an Early Years Practitioner, and before that I had predominantly been in veterinary care and care of the elderly.”

“I wanted to do the degree course because I wanted to become a primary school teacher to make a difference to children’s lives, and I thought that gaining a more in depth knowledge of child development and the ways in which education can support and protect them would be the best way to do this. I also wanted to be a good role model for my 9 year old stepson to show him that you can achieve anything you want to, regardless of age, disability, or social class, as long as you work hard and have a good support network.”

Pippa did not let her previous University experience put her off, and instead undertook the course at St Mary’s.

“I chose St Mary’s College to take my degree course because it made the course accessible for me, and easy to work around family life. The college itself is relatively close to my home so commuting to and from there to attend the course played a big part in my decision.”

Alongside location, it was the environment which made all the difference fr Pippa and her studies.

“Upon interview, I found the atmosphere at St Mary’s College to be very welcoming and all the staff were very friendly and kind. As I enrolled two weeks later than the other students, the staff at St Mary’s College worked very hard to ensure that my entry onto the course was seamless, and this firmly cemented that I had chosen the right place to study.”

Pippa enjoyed her studies and overall experience at St Mary’s and could not recommend this enough.

“My student experience at St Mary’s College has been the best three years of my life! The college itself is a fantastic place to learn and has all the resources you need to be successful. From the moment you enter St Mary’s College, the atmosphere is warm and friendly, and all the staff will go out of their way to help you no matter what you need. In terms of the personal and academic support I have received from the degree team, I am overwhelmed by their kindness and unfaltering support and guidance throughout the three years. As a mature student, I found that studying alongside maintaining family life had many ups and downs, however the staff at St Mary’s College gave me the confidence to carry on and pushed me to achieve the best that I could.”

“In addition to the amazing support given to students by St Mary’s College staff, we are blessed to have the equally incredible support and guidance of our Liverpool Hope University lecturers. They are dedicated to their students and will go above and beyond to encourage and support students to achieve their full potential. The lecturer’s incredible knowledge base ensures that students gain a well-rounded and versatile education with the lecturers even willing to go above par to provide students with additional reading and work should they want it. The St Mary’s College staff and Liverpool Hope University lecturers have inspired me throughout my three years to work harder than I ever thought possible, and have given me the drive to continue my studies. I can honestly say that it is because of the wonderful staff at both St Mary’s College and Liverpool Hope University that I have developed as a person and achieved my First Class BA (Hons) in Early Childhood and Education. My experiences at St Mary’s College and Liverpool Hope University have been so positive that my husband enrolled on the BA (Hons) Business Management at St Mary’s College and is now in his final year!”

As for the future, the education sector is firmly in Pippa’s long term plans.

“When I started the degree course I wanted to continue on to teacher training for primary education, however I have enjoyed my time at Liverpool Hope and St Mary’s College so much that I am carrying on with my postgraduate studies at Liverpool Hope University. Through the BA (Hons) Early Childhood and Education, I have been inspired by two of my tutors to want to contribute to and pioneer research in the field of developmental and educational psychology, and to obtain an Education Doctorate and become a lecturer through the Network of Hope.”

In September 2019 Pippa will be starting the MA Developmental Psychology and Early Childhood at Liverpool Hope University, before enrolling on her Education Doctorate, in which Pippa cannot wait to be a part of the support teams that surround St Mary’s College.

“I had a brilliant time at St. Mary’s, the staff have been great. I really enjoyed every moment; the two years have just flown. I got great support and help from my tutors, without them I wouldn’t have completed the two years.”

Farzana Patel first found out about the degrees that we offer through her daughter who studied her A Levels at St Mary’s College.

“It’s closer to home so it was easy to travel and my daughter went to college. She had fantastic feedback from her experience at College and from the help and support that she received.”

Farzana’s experience lived up to expectations and didn’t disappoint over the duration of her degree.

“I had a brilliant time at St. Mary’s, the staff have been great. I really enjoyed every moment; the two years have just flown. I got great support and help from my tutors, without them I wouldn’t have completed the two years.”

Along with support from the tutors, Farzana also realised her passion within the social sector which was due to the placement provided throughout the course.

“In my work placements that is where it clicked for me that in the future I want to work with children who have special educational needs.”

Following the Foundation Degree, Farzana will now complete her top up year at UCLan Burnley in the hope of gaining employment working in this sector.

“I have loved it has been really enjoyable; the tutors have been fantastic and have been a really good support.”

Kerry Gell got back into Education after having her three children. She chose to study at our University Centre as the teaching hours fitted well into her lifestyle.

“I chose St Mary’s as I am a working mum and it was the easiest place to go alongside my current commitments.”

Kerry enjoyed her time studying and the choice of her degree made Kerry’s experience even more enjoyable.

“I really enjoyed the education side in particular, the tutors were really engaging.”

Speaking about her three years

I have loved it has been really enjoyable; the tutors have been fantastic and have been a really good support.

Kerry recommends studying at the University Centre to anyone who wants to get back into education and further their career.

“Just go for it, do not think about it too much. I have done the degree with three kids so it is achievable. The tutors are really helpful.”

Simon Davey

BA (Hons) Business Management

“The help and support from all at St. Marys and from Hope was excellent.”

“I always knew I had the capability to successfully complete a degree course but always thought I was too old (I was 50 at the time on enrolment) to join a university. I found that wasn’t the case and decided to go for it. Previously my last time studying was a year long part time level 3 management course in 2004. Before that I studied at a college in Derby in 1984!”

Simon chose St Mary’s as his stepdaughter completed the BA (Hons) Early Childhood and Education Degree where they got talking about studying at St Mary’s College Blackburn.

Overall Simon enjoyed his experience at St Mary’s College and enjoyed having the opportunity to have support with any work prior to deadlines.

“The help and support from all at St. Mary’s and from Hope was excellent.” The degree has allowed for Simon to enjoy learning again.

“I’m really interested in continuing my new found hunger for learning and I’m currently looking for a suitable distance learning MBA or MSC. I’m also actively seeking a more promising position with a different company that I’m currently with, and obtaining a First Class Degree will most certainly help me.”

Louise Haworth

BA (Hons) Early Childhood and Education

“I wanted to carry on with education but had not found a degree course that would fit around family life, with two small children. I didn’t want to spend a lot of time away from them to study.”

Louise Haworth wanted to get away from her travel and tourism background and venture into a new career after having her two children.

“I wanted to carry on with education but had not found a degree course that would fit around family life, with two small children. I didn’t want to spend a lot of time away from them to study.”

Louise found the degree through an advert and the course fit perfectly into Louise’s lifestyle as it was close to home where she would attend an evening class once a week.

“Being 27 and returning to education was nerve wracking, along with the worry that I would be the oldest in the class, but I was reassured by Gareth that the class was all ‘mature students’ and had jobs and children to work around their education. This made me feel as ease and I looked forward to returning to studying.”

Louise loved her time studying at St Mary’s and liked the fact she was surrounded by staff who were happy to help at any time.

“I found my experience at St. Mary’s College to be positive, I regularly used the college library which was well stocked and Norra the librarian was a wealth of knowledge to call on at anytime. Gareth was always on hand to proof read any work and I sent all of my assignments to him including my dissertation to be proof read.”

Louise appreciated how the course was ran at our Blackburn Campus and that she was still very much part of Liverpool Hope University.

“The support from St Mary’s College is vital as they bridge the gap and are there to help in anyway. Jo Lewis (Liverpool Hope tutor) was fantastically supportive and really rooted for her students to do well, nothing was ever too much trouble for her. She is a credit to the University.”

Louise is currently looking to continue her studies alongside looking after her two young children.

Zaheda Yousaf

(BA Hons) Education studies and Special Educational Needs

“Having researched the college itself, I found that it was a tremendous place to study and the staff were very supportive and facilitated everyone’s requirements to the best of their ability.”

Zaheda Yousef had previously worked in the retail sector as a healthcare manager but wanted to further her teaching skills. With her NVQ Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification, Zaheda wanted to explore this option.

“I have two younger sisters who are known to have severe learning difficulties, hence this gave me the desire to explore the SEND field further.

I felt I was well equipped for the course due to my level of knowledge and experience both through my job roles and also supporting my sisters.”

Zaheda chose to study at St Mary’s as it was close to home and fitted around her family lifestyle.

“Having researched the college itself, I found that it was a tremendous place to study and the staff were very supportive and facilitated everyone’s requirements to the best of their ability.”

When reflecting on her time at St Mary’s Zaheda enjoyed her three years of studying at the Blackburn Campus.

“Upon spending three years at St Marys College, I can now definitely say that the overall experience really did fulfil my expectations. The staff were very supportive and were always there to deal with any issues or concerns. The lecturers delivered their lessons in a way which was very engaging for students and encouraged learning, I always felt motivated and wanted to strive to achieve my best.”

Zaheda has most recently been accepted onto a Postgraduate Degree in Education and will be focusing on Special Educational Needs. Alongside her course, Zaheda will be undergoing work placements to apply all of her skills in the sector.